just blaze ArchivesAmbrosia For Heads

JAY-Z’s “U Don’t Know” Was Originally Offered To Busta Rhymes & Prodigy

Hip-Hop history is filled with what-ifs, especially concerning beats and production. Tupac's diamond-certified All Eyez On Me once featured verses from Inspectah Deck and The Lady Of Rage. Moreover, Disc 2's Dr. Dre-produced "Can't C Me" was rumored to be created for a shelved Ice Cube collaboration before another iteration had Tha Dogg Pound rapping. Jadakiss'... Read more

March 19, 2023 Video

Logic Has Made It Hard To Like Him & It’s Not Just Joe Budden

Among chart-topping Hip-Hop artists of the last decade, Logic is arguably the most polarizing. The Gaithersburg, Maryland native MC/producer who began as a DIY artist in the early 2010s Hip-Hop underground, has since gone on to achieve a wall full of platinum and gold plaques, was nominated for "Song Of... Read more

March 18, 2023 Video

Here Are Some Reasons Why 2000 May Be Hip-Hop’s Greatest Year

At Ambrosia For Heads, we celebrate Hip-Hop throughout the ages. Earlier this year, our What's The Headline podcast launched a series examining the calendar years that made the music and culture reach its full potential. After taking a loving look back at 1984, the next episode drops in on Y2K.... Read more

April 6, 2021 Video

Jeezy Flips A Classic Jay & Beans Beat To Launch His TM 104 Campaign (Audio)

AUGUST 2 UPDATE: Jeezy has released the "1 Time" music video: ORIGINAL JULY 3 STORY: It has been a year and a half since Jeezy released Pressure. At the top of this year, the CTE founder partnered with Boston George for a collaborative free mixtape, Boston George & Diego (embedded... Read more

July 3, 2019 Audio, Video

The Roc Boys In The Building: JAY-Z & Cam’ron Have Ended Their Beef (Video)

Last night (April 26), JAY-Z performed his "B-Sides 2" concert at New York City's newly-reopened Webster Hall. It was the first time the Manhattan venue hosted a Hip-Hop show since Action Bronson took the stage in the summer of 2017. Following his 2015 rarities set, Jay performed songs from his... Read more

April 27, 2019 News, Video

JAY-Z’s Blueprint Album Will Be Preserved In The Library Of Congress

Every year, The Library Of Congress selects 25 musical titles to add to its National Recording Registry. This act is meant to honor pieces of art for their cultural significance for future generations. A National Recording Preservation Board decides the annual inclusions. This week, JAY-Z's The Blueprint album became the... Read more

March 20, 2019 News

Black Star, DMX & Run The Jewels Are Among 2019 Soundset Headlining Performers

The Soundset Festival, the biggest annual Hip-Hop festival in the Midwest, has unveiled the all-star line-up for their 2019 event. Put on by Rhymesayers Entertainment and Rose Presents, this large draw happening takes place in Minneapolis on May 26, 2019. This year will see artists from almost every era of... Read more

February 27, 2019 Fresh

Just Blaze Says He’s Given M.O.P. All The Beats Intended For Their Roc-A-Fella Album

Just Blaze is the latest guest on Let The Record Show. The highly-respected producer tells hosts Mike Pizzo and Warren Peace about the personal significance of songs by Main Source, Nas, DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, Genesis, and others, as they play on a turntable. At the end of... Read more

January 30, 2019 Throwback, Video

RZA Wrecks A Party. He Freestyles Into Headphones & Scratches (Video)

In the last year, Wu-Tang Clan released an album whereby RZA handed the production reigns to DJ Mathematics. The Abbott executive produced, but the longtime leader of the Wu appears focused on his Hollywood career more than plugging out beats on the ASR-10 in his studios. However, do not get... Read more

March 20, 2018 Video

Kendrick Lamar & Chance The Rapper’s Place On The Forbes List Shows Conscious Rap Pays Off (Video)

Hip-Hop news and culture move fast, and it’s easy to miss significant developments. Every week, Ambrosia For Heads takes a look back at the LAST 7 days. This video series, hosted by Justin “The Company Man” Hunte examines the current issues with a colorful rundown of the what, where, and why. While the Last... Read more

October 3, 2017 Exclusive, Last 7, Video

Rah Digga’s Lost Album Featuring J Dilla & No ID Production Has Been Released (Audio)

There were 10 long years between Rah Digga's celebrated 2000 debut Dirty Harriet and her follow-up collaboration with producer Nottz, Classic. In that time, Digga left her post as "the First Lady of Flipmode Squad" alongside Busta Rhymes and went fully independent, where she remains today. Rah Digga Rates Nicki... Read more

September 26, 2017 Audio, Throwback

The Blueprint: How 1 Kanye West Beat Tape Changed Roc-A-Fella Records Forever (Audio)

In September of 2001, JAY-Z released his sixth album. The Blueprint was wholeheartedly a pivot. To his fans, Shawn Carter had an incredible consistent streak of quality, authenticity, and event-worthy album-making. Five years removed from his debut album, S.Dot sought a new sound, and raised the stakes in every possible... Read more

August 2, 2017 Audio

Sha Stimuli Returns With An Exploration Of American Racism Throughout The Years (Video)

Brooklyn, New York raised, Atlanta, Georgia based MC Sha Stimuli returned off a four year hiatus from the rap race last year with two powerful songs titled “Sticks and Stones” and “New Jordans/A Poem For Mike.” The first was about the effect words can have, while the latter was a... Read more

July 22, 2017 Ready Or Not, Video

Snoop Televises The Revolution On The Most Political Song Of His Career (Video)

Snoop Dogg recently released his Neva Left album. However, the always busy Doggfather isn't quite done promoting last year's Coolaid either. "Revolutions" is a Just Blaze-produced track that is among Snoop's most political work, in a season where he's been speaking up. The music video attempts to convey that, chronicling... Read more

June 12, 2017 Video

Nas, Ghostface Killah & Just Blaze To Headline 2017 A3C Festival

2017 marks 13 years of A3C. The Hip-Hop festival and conference in Atlanta, Georgia has announced its headliners and confirmed performers for this year (taking place October 4-8). With an album done (and possibly released ahead of his A3C concert), Nas is the headliner. After more than 25 years on... Read more

May 31, 2017 Fresh

Just Blaze Makes Classic Breakbeats Sound Brand New In A Jamming Mini-Mix (Video)

Just Blaze is a producer's producer. The New Jersey native DJ-turned-beat creator has made hit records for Jay Z, Ghostface Killah, Fat Joe, and others using some of the same break-beats and samples that helped get Hip-Hop music started. Moreover, through work for Fabolous, Freeway, and Saigon, Just has brought... Read more

March 28, 2017 Mixes, Video

Eminem Welcomes Westside Gunn & Conway To Shady Records With A Just Blaze Track (Audio)

Eminem shook up the Hip-Hop space in the early 2010s when he renovated Shady Records. As 50 Cent's tenure with the label was ending, Em' brought a long-awaited Bad Meets Evil album to light with Royce 5'9, inked Slaughterhouse, and provided a major home for Yelawolf. Between 2010 and 2012,... Read more

March 3, 2017 Audio, News

Swizz Beatz Premieres A New Song Featuring Nas, Jay Z, DMX & Jadakiss And It’s Unreal (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 in the long video, or play the short clip just below. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing... Read more

February 25, 2017 Video

Just Blaze & Swizz Beatz Have A Beat Battle For The Ages. Watch The Masters Work (Video)

Note: To hear the track, skip to 2:27:15 of the video. Although they have both reached G.O.A.T. status among Hip-Hop producers, with catalogs of hits rivaled by few, at their cores, Just Blaze and Swizz Beatz are still DJs too. With nothing left to prove behind the boards, each now... Read more

February 25, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: Pete Rock vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 24, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: Just Blaze vs. Kanye West. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer,” the third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no... Read more

February 9, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Main Source Are Joined By Pete Rock, Just Blaze & More For Their 25-Year Reunion (Video)

Last week (February 1), the founding three members of Hip-Hop group Main Source performed together for the first time in more than 25 years. Large Professor, as well as John Browne high school classmate, K-Cut, plus guest DJ Rashad Smith (of Bad Boy Records fame) blessed Lower Manhattan's S.O.B.'s stages... Read more

February 8, 2017 Video

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Sweet 16 Has Been Determined

Last night (February 5), Round 1 voting closed for "Finding The GOAT Producer." That round, launched in early January, began with 32 producers (including two Wild Card inductees into the bracket). As of today's tiebreaker between Organized Noize vs. Erick Sermon (which was within less than 1% when the polls closed),... Read more

February 6, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Producer: The Neptunes vs. Just Blaze. Who Is Better?

“Finding the GOAT Producer” begins. The third installment of Ambrosia For Heads’s annual battle series features Hip-Hop’s greatest producers vying for the #1 spot. Thirty producers were pre-selected by a panel of experts, and two slots will be reserved for wild-card entries, including the possibility for write-in candidates, to ensure no deserving... Read more

January 20, 2017 Finding the GOAT

Sha Stimuli Releases 1 Of The Most Intelligent Songs Of The Year. Hip-Hop At Its Finest (Audio)

When Sha Stimuli released his 2009 debut album My Soul To Keep, Just Blaze was one of the star contributors. "Move Back" / "The Reason" featured Roc-A-Fella Records alums Freeway and Young Chris on a two-part track, co-produced by Just. While Sha was never a Roc artist (he formerly interned... Read more

December 12, 2016 Audio

A Mini-Documentary Shows How Jay Z’s Blueprint Laid The Plans For A New Era In Hip-Hop

On September 11, Jay Z's The Blueprint will celebrate its 15th anniversary. Its release on what is now an infamous date in American history for other, tragic reasons, marked a time in the Roc-A-Fella leader's career when criminal allegations and frequent diss tracks surrounded his image. However, it has proven... Read more

September 7, 2016 Video

Joe Budden Reminds All He Built His Career On BARS Not Beef (Video)

Joe Budden has been dominating headlines for the last several months, almost exclusively due to his ongoing, and increasingly one-sided war with Drake. As the events of the past week showed--with overzealous Drake fans harassing Budden at his own home, and Budden returning the favor--the feud has taken on a... Read more

July 29, 2016 Video

Just Blaze Drops A Beat For Snoop Dogg (Audio)

Just Blaze is traditionally recognized for his production work for East Coast Hip-Hop stalwarts such as Jay Z, Cam'ron, Freeway, and Fabolous. However, the New Jersey native has been a great musical confidant for West Coast star MCs such as The Game, Kendrick Lamar, and Kxng Crooked (care of Slaughterhouse).... Read more

June 26, 2016 Audio

This MC Dared To Put His Lyricism Against Jay Electronica’s & Then Spit Tabasco Flows (Video)

Citrons are to lemons what Matt is to Hip-Hop: his music is clearly influenced by and related to the familiar, but the fruit he bears is not exactly the same thing we're accustomed to. A 22-year-old native of Atlanta, Georgia, Matt Citron is an MC with a distinctive flow and... Read more

May 11, 2016 Spotlight

The Notorious B.I.G.’s Ready To Die vs. Jay Z’s The Blueprint. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

March 15, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Just Blaze Plays Some Unreleased Jay Electronica, Busta & M.O.P. And More In A Mix (Video)

Earlier this week (March 7), Just Blaze stopped by the studio to spin a nearly hour-long set for DJ City, after which the Paterson, New Jersey record producer and master of the decks indulged his hosts with an interview. DJ City, a digital record pool for DJ professionals - is... Read more

March 11, 2016 Video

Jay Z’s The Blueprint vs. Kanye West’s The College Dropout. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

February 29, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Album: Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

February 3, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Just Blaze Flipped This Supertramp Song & Made It Breathe For Fabolous (Audio)

Whether or not 1970s Rock & Roll is part of your playlist, chances are you've heard Supertramp. The London, England group was active from the late 1960s to the late '80s, and last year began some reunion touring and recording. "The Logical Song" and "The Long Way Home" are two... Read more

January 24, 2016 Sample Sundays

This Little Boy Blues Record Was A Seed Of Love For Some Brooklyn Rap Giants (Audio)

Little Boy Blues released a single album, 1968's In The Woodland Of Weir. The Psychedelic Garage Rock outfit fronted by "Little Boy Blue" Ray Levin, would eventually rise to open for the Rolling Stones, The Association, and Lovin' Spoonful. Formed four years before the Fontana Records LP, the band was... Read more

January 10, 2016 Sample Sundays

Finding The GOAT: Jay-Z’s The Blueprint vs. Nelly’s Country Grammar. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

January 7, 2016 Finding the GOAT

Finding The GOAT Album: Jay Z’s The Black Album vs. T.I.’s King. Which Is Better?

One year ago, Ambrosia For Heads launched a debate among its readers seeking to answer one of Hip-Hop’s most hotly-contested questions: who is the greatest MC of all time? “Finding The GOAT MC” lasted between September 2014 and May 2015, engaging millions of readers and ultimately producing its winner, as... Read more

December 21, 2015 Finding the GOAT

Oh Boy! Just Blaze Brings Out Unreleased Roc-A-Fella Goodies In A Radio Set (Mix)

This week, producer/DJ Just Blaze was a guest host on Q-Tip's Abstract Radio show on Beats 1. Just filled in for the man who provided guest vocals to his "Girls, Girls, Girls" hit for Jay Z nearly 15 years ago. Rather than just playing what he feels, the veteran New... Read more

December 12, 2015 Audio, Mixes

Just Blaze Tells Snoop Dogg His Desert Island, Top 3 Albums…All Are Rap (Video)

Snoop Dogg's latest segment of GGN features producer/DJ Just Blaze. The same week he graciously offered up a plethora of his coveted 2000s drum sounds and samples, the veteran is out in the land of the sunshine. While Just only worked on Snoop's Paid The Cost To Be The Bo$$... Read more

November 19, 2015 Video

Just Blaze Gives Away His Early 2000s Drum Sounds…For Free Download

Between 2000 and 2005, producer Just Blaze made iconic songs with the likes of Jay Z, Fabolous, The Game and Freeway. The Patterson, New Jersey native DJ/producer worked closely with Roc-A-Fella Records, in addition to launching his own production company, F.O.B. Entertainment. Although Just's breakthrough sound is often associated with... Read more

November 17, 2015 News

Just Blaze Spins It All, From M.O.P. To ESG, Jay Z To Madvillain, In This DJ Set (Video)

Producer/DJ Just Blaze recently hit London, England as the latest installment of the Boiler Room traveling party. There, the man responsible for hits by Jay Z, Freeway, Fabolous, Jay Electronica, and Cam'ron rocked an hour-long set that spoke to his vast array of sonic interests. Captured on video, Heads can... Read more

November 10, 2015 Video

Run the Jewels’ Meow the Jewels Is Now Available for Free Download (Mixtape)

Last year, Run the Jewels' highly-anticipated album, Run the Jewels 2, was leaked on the internet. Not ones to cry over spilt milk, the duo of Killer Mike & El-P embraced it as a sign of the times and took charge. Rather than try to back the train back into... Read more

September 26, 2015 Mixes

Just Blaze Has Made Smashes For Jay Z, Kanye West, T.I. & More. Watch How He Does It (Video)

Over the years, Just Blaze has powered some of Hip-Hop biggest hits and most revered classics. The superstar producer is responsible for defining records by Jay Z ("Girls, Girls, Girls," "Song Cry," "Public Service Announcement"), Kanye West ("Touch the Sky"), T.I. and more. Though his style varies, he is known... Read more

September 10, 2015 Video

As Fabolous Snatches Throwbacks, Capone-N-Noreaga Resuscitate “Breathe” (Audio)

Fabolous and Jadakiss (as well as Papoose, Tony Yayo, and others) have been freestyling within the confines of 1990s New York Hip-Hop hit instrumentals (often recreating the original songs). All of those mentioned names were around in the decade, either making noise on a grand level, or getting their names... Read more

May 27, 2015 Audio

Jadakiss Is Out To Top Everybody On The Throwback Freestyle Circuit (Audio)

Jadakiss continues to light up Fridays, handing Heads more than a paycheck with his freestyles. As L.O.X./D-Block partner Styles P is in the thick of it, Jada' clearly is out to shine in a classic of throw-back minded players including Fabolous (who recently tackled a LOX joint), Tony Yayo, and... Read more

May 8, 2015 Audio

Just Blaze Re-Examines The Musical Magic In Michael Jackson’s Human Nature (Audio)

2015 has seen Just Blaze shake things up with some instrumentals. The New Jersey producer/DJ really became a go-to sound source for flipping, altering, and reinvigorating certain samples, especially in his tenure with Roc-A-Fella Records. Keeping things in the Def Jam building, Just recently laced Ludacris with a Ludaversal closer... Read more

April 17, 2015 Audio, The Bridge

The Game Reveals Details About The Documentary 2 Including Its Release Date (Video)

Last Summer, Game heated things up when he put some hard and fast details to his plans to make a sequel to his breakthrough major label debut, 2005's The Documentary. The Compton, California MC confirmed that Dr. Dre (whose relationship with Game since has been speckled in hiatuses and reunions),... Read more

March 18, 2015 Video

Did Planet Asia & Durag Dynasty Earn Just Blaze’s Liberated Instrumental? (Audio)

Three weeks ago, Just Blaze shared an illusive instrumental track in "Miracle." Courted by everybody from Jay Z to Rick Ross to Chris Brown, the song (apparently even sold at one point), the track never was recorded—so the New Jersey DJ/producer shook things up and liberated it. Demanding only MCs... Read more

March 16, 2015 Audio

Just Blaze Releases The Beat Jay-Z & Rick Ross Wanted, Encourages Only Nice MCs To Touch It (Audio)

Just Blaze is one of the more interesting producers on social media. The Patterson, New Jersey producer/DJ enjoys waxing poetic about music, technology, industry, life, and engaging with his legions of fans. With that unpredictability in mind, Just released "Miracle," an instrumental track that he claims was a bidding war... Read more

February 23, 2015 Audio

Want to Hear Snippets of Run the Jewels’ Remix Project? Cat Got Your Tongue? (Video)

Is there any musical act bolder than Run the Jewels? In just two short years, the lethal combination of El-P and Killer Mike, has established itself as one of the most innovative, risk-taking and hard-hitting musical acts...in any genre. Their music is dark and aggressive, without sacrificing melody. Their lyrics... Read more

January 25, 2015 Video